How to Smoke Tail Lights

[Strattonc85]

My friend just recently smoked the tail lights on his GMC Sierra and I really liked it so I talked my wife into letting me do the Edge, I think it will add a bit of edginess (no pun intended) to a somewhat plain family looking car.

 

So to start things off I did just the third brake light, I dont have time to do the tail lights today but that will follow in the next few days.

 

By no means am I a professional nor do I know your state laws, this is for reference only and may or may not be illegal in your state, check local laws. Says on the can in bold letters recomended for off-road use and not DOT approved.

 

What you will need is:

 

- Few pieces of 400-600 grit wet/dry sand paper (to scuff lights) and some 1000 or higher (to smooth out paint and clear coat)

- 1 can of VHT Night Shades or Rust-O-Leum tail light paint (I used VHT Night Shades due to the fact its somewhat of a matte finish without clear)

- 1 can of automotive clear coat (I used Rust-o-leum automotive grade gloss clear coat)

-1 phillips head screw driver (for 3rd brake light the main tail lights use a 5/16 i think)

 

 

 

To start off with remove the light, it has a foam gasket so it tends to stay in, you will have to lightly pry with a small screwdriver or anything that will fit just be sure to not gouge the light or spoiler.

 

Next you will want to sand the surface of the light, I wet sanded the light with 400 grit sand paper just because you dont want too heavy or deep scratches because it could show through the paint. After its sanded wash it off with dish detergent to remove any oils or residue.

 

After the light has dried for a while you can go ahead and paint. Use light and even coats, take your time because you may not want it too dark.

 

After it has had time to dry I hit it with the 2000 grit to smooth the paint out. Then I did heavier coats of clear, just be careful because it can run pretty quick as mine did, so just take your time. after that let the clear dry for a few hours and re-install.

 

Thank you for reading this, I will post a better how to on the actual tail lights.

Edited October 22, 2010 by Strattonc85

[akirby]

I can't believe you'd sacrifice rear visibility just because it looks cool.

 

Kids......don't try this at home.

[Strattonc85]

Its not for everyone, and i did put a disclaimer on here. I'll have to post some pictures of the lights on because I didnt sacrifice any visibility, the light is still very bright and can most definatly be seen during the day and night.

[akirby]

Its not for everyone, and i did put a disclaimer on here. I'll have to post some pictures of the lights on because I didnt sacrifice any visibility, the light is still very bright and can most definatly be seen during the day and night.

 

I didn't say they totally blocked all the light, but if you honestly believe they don't reduce visibility to other drivers then you're just fooling yourself. There's a reason DOT doesn't allow it.

 

And you do understand that if someone hits you from behind you could (and most likely would) be found liable if someone notices the tinted lights. I just want to make sure you really understand the consequences of being cool.

Edited October 22, 2010 by akirby

[Edgieguy]

Its all fun until someone calls the fun Police! guess that's me...

 

Unfortunately different states are cracking down on this now. NJ is. We were just issued a statement to look out for tinted head and tail lamps. looks nice on cars I do admit, but when its against the law there's not much leeway.

Edited March 5, 2011 by Edgieguy

[akirby]

Its all fun until someone calls the fun Police!

 

Thanks for taking the time to take some pictures for sharing and I look forward to seeing your lights finished.

 

Better look in the daytime because you certainly won't see them at night......

 

 

Seriously guys - I try not to comment on mods but this is a real safety issue.

[kiakia366]

Doesn't the new Sport come with tinted taillights STD.

[bboytails]

I didn't say they totally blocked all the light, but if you honestly believe they don't reduce visibility to other drivers then you're just fooling yourself. There's a reason DOT doesn't allow it.

 

And you do understand that if someone hits you from behind you could (and most likely would) be found liable if someone notices the tinted lights. I just want to make sure you really understand the consequences of being cool.

 

 

Anyone who is a member of other car forums knows that something like this is a common mod. I see you're a moderator but are a member on any other car forums? Maybe any that have to do with "sportier" cars? Smoking reflectors a safety issue??? Wow how old are you? That's like saying mounting a GPS on your windshield is "against the law for your personal safety so don't do it." The guy was just posting a how-to thread with pics, which is usually useful in a forum no matter how good or bad the mod is.

 

"Being cool" obviously isn't for you and that's okay, but you don't have to rag on others for modding their car. As if you didn't feel "cool" when you bought your edge that's rollin on faddish "chrome 20's." What the heck is the point of this forum if we act snobby about what people do to their own vehicles. Have you had the guts to do anything that personalizes your edge? Or even posted pics on how you did it? It's like in order to be a member on this forum you either have to keep your edge completely stock, complain about sync, think the sport is a waste of money, be old, have others do your car maintenance for you, or know nothing about cars that's not covered in the manual. No wonder this forum lacks threads, especially DIY's.

[tpm419419]

Just to add my 2 cents

I have been behind many a car with tinted tail lights and can honestly say most are so dark you can't tell they have the turn signals on during the day. That would make make less visible at night also. I have driven well over 2 million miles in my career so I have seen it all. This is putting others at risk, not just yourself

[akirby]

Anyone who is a member of other car forums knows that something like this is a common mod. I see you're a moderator but are a member on any other car forums? Maybe any that have to do with "sportier" cars? Smoking reflectors a safety issue??? Wow how old are you? That's like saying mounting a GPS on your windshield is "against the law for your personal safety so don't do it." The guy was just posting a how-to thread with pics, which is usually useful in a forum no matter how good or bad the mod is.

 

"Being cool" obviously isn't for you and that's okay, but you don't have to rag on others for modding their car. As if you didn't feel "cool" when you bought your edge that's rollin on faddish "chrome 20's." What the heck is the point of this forum if we act snobby about what people do to their own vehicles. Have you had the guts to do anything that personalizes your edge? Or even posted pics on how you did it? It's like in order to be a member on this forum you either have to keep your edge completely stock, complain about sync, think the sport is a waste of money, be old, have others do your car maintenance for you, or know nothing about cars that's not covered in the manual. No wonder this forum lacks threads, especially DIY's.

 

Of course I'm a member on other forums and of course I understand this is a "common" mod. I have nothing against mods except when they pose a real safety risk and there is no doubt that reducing the amount of light from either your tail or headlamps does that. If a mfr offers a smoked lens then they have also compensated for that with brighter bulbs.

 

I wasn't a moderator when I posted that but it doesn't matter. I didn't delete the topic - I just pointed out the consequences of what was being done. If you're in front of me on a dark rainy night and I can't see your taillights in front of me and I hit you then it does affect me. And the insurance company could deny a claim if they found out what happened.

 

Those are the facts. If someone wants to do the mod anyway then be my guest. But I'm not going to let it be posted without a warning. If you're going to do it at least put in brighter bulbs to compensate - although that might require new sockets and/or wiring.

[BlackenedEdge]

Of course I'm a member on other forums and of course I understand this is a "common" mod. I have nothing against mods except when they pose a real safety risk and there is no doubt that reducing the amount of light from either your tail or headlamps does that. If a mfr offers a smoked lens then they have also compensated for that with brighter bulbs.

 

I wasn't a moderator when I posted that but it doesn't matter. I didn't delete the topic - I just pointed out the consequences of what was being done. If you're in front of me on a dark rainy night and I can't see your taillights in front of me and I hit you then it does affect me. And the insurance company could deny a claim if they found out what happened.

 

Those are the facts. If someone wants to do the mod anyway then be my guest. But I'm not going to let it be posted without a warning. If you're going to do it at least put in brighter bulbs to compensate - although that might require new sockets and/or wiring.

 

As someone who drives all day every day I have to say that the majority of tinted tail lights are too dark and no doubt most of them have retained their stock bulbs. Seeing their turn signals during the day is impossible and has no doubt been the cause of many accidents before and after dark.

Does it look cool on most cars, hell yeah. Should it be condoned without proper warning and proper bulbs? Of course not.

The moderator is spot on with his comments and is only thinking about the safety of others.

[richy]

Dude..that's way too hard. If you want to smoke your tail lights, you just need some big-assed rolling papers!!

[Loosecannon]

Well for what it's worth, i had installed "Headlight Armors" pre-made tinted tail light films that were made for the Edge. I went with a really dark tint, about equal to limo tint (see my pics). During the day time i've been told you can barely see my tail lights (my third brake light is NOT tinted). I had a light tint on my headlights, but it killed my headlight beam so bad at night, that i have since removed it. I'd like to add that i have been pulled over twice by CHP (california highway patrol) for my tinted rears (never ticketed,.. membership has it's privileges), once even at night as he was going to pass me,.. he slowed down, did a second look then pulled me over. All-in -all, i plan to remove the tint film for exactly as everyone has stated,... safety. I do think they look cool, especially on my vehicle since my edge is "murdered" out. But i don't want to sacrifice safety, or coolness. Plus, i've said it once, and i'll say it again,.. i've got coolness over flowin' from my ears! So, having taillights that aren't tinted,.. no worries

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

-Cannon

[BlackenedEdge]

Dude..that's way too hard. If you want to smoke your tail lights, you just need some big-assed rolling papers!!

 

Big Bambu Baby!!

[tpm419419]

Well for what it's worth, i had installed "Headlight Armors" pre-made tinted tail light films that were made for the Edge. I went with a really dark tint, about equal to limo tint (see my pics). During the day time i've been told you can barely see my tail lights (my third brake light is NOT tinted). I had a light tint on my headlights, but it killed my headlight beam so bad at night, that i have since removed it. I'd like to add that i have been pulled over twice by CHP (california highway patrol) for my tinted rears (never ticketed,.. membership has it's privileges), once even at night as he was going to pass me,.. he slowed down, did a second look then pulled me over. All-in -all, i plan to remove the tint film for exactly as everyone has stated,... safety. I do think they look cool, especially on my vehicle since my edge is "murdered" out. But i don't want to sacrifice safety, or coolness. Plus, i've said it once, and i'll say it again,.. i've got coolness over flowin' from my ears! So, having taillights that aren't tinted,.. no worries

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

-Cannon

 

Well said

[richy]

Big Bambu Baby!!

 

I'm glad someone got a kick out of my smart ass comment!

[tpm419419]

I can't believe you'd sacrifice rear visibility just because it looks cool.

 

Kids......don't try this at home.

Agreed!

[akirby]

Okay...so if you slam into the back of a vehicle with tinted tailights it's because you didnt see his tails as they were dimmer than they come from factory, right????

 

Sure. Why is that so hard to believe? I guarantee if that happened and I told my insurance company that your taillights were less visible because you modified them they'd find you at fault, not me. You might not agree but that's the way it works. There is a reason the DOT approves vehicle lighting and modifications.

 

So what about all this new (for the most part) Japanese vehicles with this bright freaking dashes during the day and the night, that make the driver believe their headlights and taillights are already "ON", but in fact they are not.

What you have to say about this then? When you're inside THEIR vehicle, you see the dash light up as if it was christmas, but then if you get out of the car, the tail lights are not on, and the only reason there's light coming out of the headlights is because of DRL's.

 

I say that's a problem especially if it leaves the headlamps on but not the taillights. But that's a factory feature and has nothing to do with someone modifying their Edge.

 

Seriously dude, you aint here to decide what's okay to do to our cars. You're simply here to control the language, and to keep things within topics... and delete whatever is necessary.

 

Seriously dude - this has nothing to do with moderation. I didn't delete anything and I didn't call anyone stupid. We're not talking about adding a wing or stickers or paint stripes. We're talking about lights and nighttime visibility or lack thereof.

 

I won't ignore obvious safety issues and I don't expect anyone else to either as long as it's done the right way. None of the responses in this thread have been out of line (except for yours, which is close).

[tayfont15]

Hey man I think it looks killer! I love the smoke lights look. And to anyone who thinks this is a safety issue, get your EYES checked. I have seen hundreds of blacked out lights and I always see turn signals day or night. Thanks for the pics

[yogregb]

Guys, everything in moderation... smoking the lights nearly black is idiotic for sure. On the other had a light smoke job,going from red to dark red looks cool ,yet does not compromise safety, common sense bros.... :shades:

 

forgot to mention, that products like VHT nite shades are formulated to let light pass thru, whereas standard light coats of regular black paint do not, FYI....

Edited March 6, 2011 by yogregb

[cal3thousand]

I agree with the safety concerns... that's why I advocate light to medium smoking with new bulbs to compensate. preferably LED as they fire to full brightness quicker than an incandescent and can be controlled by PWM.

 

(I also fully agree with richy :ninja:)